SGI Charter
Preamble
We, the constituent
organizations and members of the Soka Gakkai International
(hereinafter called "SGI"), embrace the fundamental aim and mission
of contributing to peace, culture and education based on the
philosophy and ideals of the Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin.
WE RECOGNIZE that at no time in history has humankind
experienced such an intense juxtaposition of war and peace,
discrimination and equality, poverty and abundance as in the
twentieth century; that the development of increasingly
sophisticated military technology, exemplified by nuclear weapons,
has created a situation where the very survival of the human species
hangs in the balance; that the reality of violent ethnic and
religious discrimination presents an unending cycle of conflict;
that humanity's egoism and intemperance have engendered global
problems, including degradation of the natural environment and
widening economic chasms between developed and developing nations,
with serious repercussions for humankind's collective future.
WE BELIEVE that Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism, a humanistic
philosophy of infinite respect for the sanctity of life and
all-encompassing compassion, enables individuals to cultivate and
bring forth their inherent wisdom and, nurturing the creativity of
the human spirit, to surmount the difficulties and crises facing
humankind and realize a society of peaceful and prosperous
coexistence.
We, the constituent organizations and members of SGI,
therefore, being determined to raise high the banner of world
citizenship, the spirit of tolerance, and respect for human rights
based on the humanistic spirit of Buddhism, and to challenge the
global issues that face humankind through dialogue and practical
efforts based on a steadfast commitment to nonviolence, hereby adopt
this Charter, affirming the following purposes and principles:
Purposes and
Principles
- SGI shall contribute to peace,
culture and education for the happiness and welfare of all
humanity based on Buddhist respect for the sanctity of life.
- SGI, based on the ideal of world
citizenship, shall safeguard fundamental human rights and not
discriminate against any individual on any grounds.
- SGI shall respect and protect the
freedom of religion and religious expression.
- SGI shall promote an understanding
of Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism through grass-roots exchange,
thereby contributing to individual happiness.
- SGI shall, through its constituent
organizations, encourage its members to contribute toward the
prosperity of their respective societies as good citizens.
- SGI shall respect the independence
and autonomy of its constituent organizations in accordance with
the conditions prevailing in each country.
- SGI shall, based on the Buddhist
spirit of tolerance, respect other religions, engage in dialogue
and work together with them toward the resolution of fundamental
issues concerning humanity.
- SGI shall respect cultural
diversity and promote cultural exchange, thereby creating an
international society of mutual understanding and harmony.
- SGI shall promote, based on the
Buddhist ideal of symbiosis, the protection of nature and the
environment.
- SGI shall contribute to the
promotion of education, in pursuit of truth as well as the
development of scholarship, to enable all people to cultivate
their individual character and enjoy fulfilling and happy lives.
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